Phonograph-reproducer.



Nd. 668,183. Patented Feb. I9, |901.

B. B. HILL.

PHONOGBAPH REPRODUCER.

(Mnnwmn mea Jan. 31, 1999.,

(No Model.)

arnnr irren,

BARTON B. HILL, OF PARIS, FRANCE.

PHONOGRAPH-REPRODUCER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,183, dated February 19, 190].

Application tiled January S1, 1899. Serial No. 703,978. (No model.) i

To @ZZ whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, BARTON B. HILL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Paris, in the Republic of France, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Reproducers for Phonographs and Graphophones, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to various new and useful improvements in reproducers for phonographs or graphophones; and the particular object of the invention is to provide a reproducer for this purpose which will be capable of more accurate and delicate reproduction than the devices at present in use.

In carrying out my invention I utilize diaphragms or the equivalents thereof made of different materials especially adapted for the particular class of reproduction desired, such diaphragme being adapted to be removably carried in the usual reproducing-frame and to be vibrated by the usual reproducing point or ball.

In order that my invention may be better understood, attention is directed to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a plan view from beneath of a well-known form of graphophonic reproducer embodying my present improvements; Fig. 2, a vertical section of the device, illustrating the preferable form of diaphragm; Fig. 3, a perspective view, on an enlarged scale, of the preferred construction of diaphragm; and Fig. 4, a plan view of a modified construction of diaphragm.

In all of the above views corresponding parts are represented by the same numerals of reference.

The reproducer illustrated in Figs. l and 2 comprises a flat circular chambered head 1, carried by a tube 2, to which the listening tubes or horn is secured in the usual way. The tube 2 communicates with the chamber in the head l by a passage 3, opening centrally in the chamber. Located within the chamber of the reproducer-head is a diaphragm 4, which is preferably secured in place by a ring 5, engaging the threads 6. This ring 5 is provided with one or more small studs 7 therein, by which it may be screwed or unscrewed for the removal and replacing of the diaphragm. The diaphragm 4 may be carried on a ring or frame 8, made, preferably, of celluloid or rubber, whereby the said ring will not shrink or warp. Obviously, however, the diaphragm may be perfectly flat, or instead of being secured upon an annular ring, as described, it may rest upon aseparate cushion or buffer of a slightly-elastic material, such as ordinary blotting-paper. The diaphragm 4 is made of any material suitable for the specific variety of reproduction desired. I have experimented with excellent results with diaphragms made of glass, goldbeaters skin, photographic film, wood, and metal. Any other suitable material may be employed for the construction of the diaphragms. Preferably, also, the diaphragm is provided at its center with a cylindrical airhammer 9, consisting simply of a block, such as wood, which fits more or less closely within the passage 3. I iind that by the employment of an air-hammer secured to the diaphragm as explained the vibration of the diaphragm causes the air-hammer to vibrate within the passage, setting up air-vibrations in the passage in exact accordance With the sound-record, resulting in very perfect reproductions and eliminating to a large extent extraneous and disagreeable sounds. Obviously, however, such an air-hammer may be dispensed with and the diaphragm employed for setting up air-vibrations in the reproducerchamber, which vibrations will be transmitted through the passage 3 and tube 2 to the ear. I find that best results are also secured by providing the diaphragm 4 with one or more perfor-ations l0 therein, thereby increasing the liexibility of the diaphragm and eliminating false tones. Instead of making use of a diaphragm 4, as explained, occupying substantially the entire area between the walls inclosed by the reproducer-ehamber a diaphragm in the form of a comparatively narrow strip ll may be used, as shown in Fig. 4.

Movement from the sound-record is communicated to the diaphragm in any suitable way; but the connection should be so arranged as to enable the diaphragms to be readily removed and substituted by others to IOO better reproduce the particular form of record desired. The preferable construction of these devices is illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

12 represents a reproducing-arm pivoted at one side on a pin 13 and pivoted at its end to a stud 14, secured to a disk 15 of smallerdiameter than the diaphragm. The disk 15 is made of any suitable material, such as celluloid or photographic film. This disk 15 may rest directly upon the diaphragm 4, or a buffer 16 may be interposed between the disk and the diaphragm,asshownin Fig. 2. This buffer is made-of any suitable slightly-elastic material, such as rubber or blotting-paper. The reproducing-lever 12 carries the reproducing pin or ball 17, as is common, which bears upon the record and vibrates the lever 12. The weight ofthe reproducer-head maintains the reprod neer-ball in contact with the record and keeps the disk 15 in `engagement with the diaphragm. In order to prevent the reproducing-lever 12 from falling out of position when the reproducer is elevated for the insertion of a record on the mandrel of the phonograph or graphophone, I prefer to employ a small bridge or retaining piece 1S. located immediately beneath the free endof the lever 12. This bridge or retaining piece is provided with downturned legs 19 and outturned toes 20, which are inserted in recesses 21 in the retaining-ring 5, being held in place by the elasticity of the piece. When a new diaphragm is to he inserted in position, the

' bridge-piece 18 is removed, allowing the retaining-ring 5 to be unscrewed, disclosing the diaphragm, which may be then removed and a new diaphragm substituted.

I find in practicethat by employing repro;

phonograph or graphophone can be produced wherein very perfect reproduction can be secured and wherein false and extraneous tones will be largely eliminated. At the saine time the device is so constructed that the diaphragms can be readily removed and secured in position when desired, and the cost is but very slightly increased.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

In a phonograph or graphophone, the combination with a reproducing device, of a reproducing-diaphragm adapted to be removably secured in place within the reproducing device, a lever pivoted to the reproducer and carrying a reproducing-stylus which is maintained in contact with the diaphragm by the weight of the reproducer, and a removable bridge-piece engaging beneath said leveigsubstantially as set forth.

This specification signedand witnessed this 3d day of January, 1899.

BARTON B. HILL.

Witnesses:

EDWARD P. MACLEAN, GEORGE E. LIGHT. 

